Top Tips for Preparing a Programme

Many PQQs and tenders ask for a Programme to be submitted as part of the submission. Belfast City Council as well as many Housing Associations regularly do so. It is important to check the form of contract for such projects to make sure the Programme is compliant. For example, if the proposed contract is NEC, it is best to submit a Gantt Chart and make sure the following is included:

• Time risk allowance: An idea is to insert a row with a set time-frame (such as a week) to allow for inclement weather during the winter months.

• Float: A simple way to do this is include the date for Planned Completion as well as the date for Completion (the deadline), each as a Milestone. The difference can be illustrated as Terminal Float.

• Health & Safety allowance: Document site inductions as a standalone task as part of site set-up and include for site audits each month.

• A Critical Path: There is a button in Microsoft Project to illustrate it; be sure this is activated so the Critical Path is visible.

• Milestones: Significant targets should be illustrated as Milestones such as access date, phased handover dates and the Completion date. For such targets, set the time-frame to zero days which will ensure they are highlighted as Milestones by default.

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